France is the most popular yachting destination for UK yachtsmen for obvious reasons: it’s the nearest part of the Continent. But a new survey reveals that just one in 10 Brits feels an affinity with France compared with 25 per cent who love Ireland.

We also do not trust the French. The poll, commissioned by The Guardian, found that their net trust rating in Britain is 15 per cent compared with 55 per cent for the Spanish.

However once the British Prime Minister Tony Blair is brought into the equation popularity soars for Jacques Chirac. Chirac tops Blair for popularity in Britain: 51 per cent of those questioned have a good opinion of the French President putting him on a plus rating of 19 points against Blair’s rating of MINUS 20 points.